REGENERATION OF INDIAN COTTON VARIETY MCU-5 THROUGH SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS

In vitro regeneration by somatic embryogenesis is highly varietal spec ific in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Highest frequency of regeneration has been reported in Coker varieties. However, even within Coker vari eties, there is seed to seed variation for regeneration(1,2). There is no report of in vitro regeneration of major Indian cultivars through the somatic embryogenesis pathway. We report here identification of ge notypes within variety MCU-5 that regenerate profusely by somatic embr yogenesis. This variety is extensively grown in the southern cotton zo ne of India. Regeneration by somatic embryogenesis has been achieved b y a modification of the earlier in vitro culture protocols of Trolinde r and Goodin(3) and Firoozabady and DeBoer(4). Complete plants could b e regenerated through somatic embryogenesis from hypocotyl explants in 6-7 months.